Anonymous
As every PMP knows, it's often about asking the right questions.
Prior to first interview meetings, it is my experience that asking the following questions in one form or another but usually by email, is highly productive.
So, I am posting here with the intention of engendering discussion and perhaps identifying additional questions to be asked, and/or revising the structure of these questions.
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1) Location of work (zip code, nearest major intersection) & percent of travel required
2) Work hours expected (9am to 5pm, 8am to 5pm, 8am to 6pm, 7am to 6pm, 6am to 6pm, 5am to 6pm, 5am to 7pm, 5am to 8pm, 5am to 9pm)
3) Business culture (slave shop, sweat shop, competitive firm, or progressive company)
4) Sponsor relationship to PM(s) such as the position under discussion (non existent, hands off, hands on, integrated, full team)
5) Salary range
6) Bonus and rewards programs (non existent, existent but very rarely executed, seldom executed, often executed and so often executed it is similar to a commission based compensation structured position)
7) Org chart with position location in corporate hierarchy
8) Type of corporate hierarchy (project or matrix or traditional [non project, non matrixed])
9) Identification of subordinates and superiors
10) Ethical standards of the organization (published Code of Ethics? PMI / SEI standards adhered to?)
11) Business Strategy participation expectations? (zero, very limited, some but not required, required, required and around one forth of the position's productive efforts, required and over half of the position's productive efforts)
12) Business Development participation expectations? [Sales, proposals, marketing meetings, presentations to potential customers, etc] (zero, very limited, some but not required, required, required and around one forth of the position's productive efforts, required and over half of the position's productive efforts)
13) Does the position incorporate hire / fire responsibilities? (yes, no, some after HR and other filters applied, some after filters applied and requiring sponsor / mgmt team agreement)
14) Does the position engage a single project or contract? (yes, no)
15) Does the position engage multiple project(s) or contracts? (yes, no)
16) Does the organization have a Project Management Office in place today? (yes, no)
17) Does the organization have SEI / CMMI certification in place today?
17) (a) If so, does that certification exist in the space this position exists? (yes, no)
17) (b) If so, does that certification exist as the stated future goal for the entire organization?
18) Does the organization have repeatable processes in place?
18) (a) If so, provide some comment regarding the touch points between those repeatable processes and this position. (example: PM provides Six Sigma Light reporting weekly, and summary management presentation with recommendations and supporting documentation [white paper] monthly).
19) Is the organization employing PMPs because of internal corporate policy and procedure statements, and as part of the corporate IR and CPIC process, or is the organization employing PMPs solely because of government contract requirements? IE, are all PMs PMPs or only those on gov't contracts? (yes, no)
20) What opportunity for advancement, recognition of excellence, and personal promotion towards my goals exists in this organization? (none, little, some but you have to make it happen yourself and sponsor will not assist or support, sponsor support but you as the PM have to build that relationship, direct sponsor support, full organizational support - as a corporation we believe that your advancement is our advancement and we want you to be all you can and accomplish all you can both professionally and personally).
21) Does this organization prioritize work or family, such as in the case of personal loss, such as a death in the immediate family; does this corporation terminate people if they take available vacation time after such a loss? Leave of absence? Absence without pay?
22) What duties are required?
a) PM work - meetings, planning, normal project management activities
b) Anything assigned
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